Land gift for future river park to be celebrated

The San Diego River Park Foundation hopes to change that, while protecting the waterway stretching from Ocean Beach to Santa Ysabel.

One piece is in place. The foundation has received 17 acres that lie between the river and Camino del Rio North, a parcel officials plan to preserve, while adding a nature center.

The Grant family – which used to run a massive Mission Valley quarry that is being converted to housing – donated the land and will celebrate the gift at a ceremony at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow. The gathering will take place at Qualcomm Way and Camino del Rio North.

The community is invited to take part, and famed animal advocate Joan Embery, a foundation board member, will attend.

The land is valued at $10 million.

The park, to be named after the Grants, won't be open for at least three years, said Rob Hutsel, the foundation's executive director. The lag will allow time for planning and fundraising.

A design will be created over the next four months, then public comment will be sought, he said. The nature center, which is expected to include an observation deck, meeting rooms and classrooms, is expected to span 8,000 square feet.

“It's the first project that will turn its face toward the river and be built for the river in Mission Valley,” Hutsel said.

Hutsel said the work is part of the foundation's vision of creating 50 miles of open space extending east along the river. The Grant family intends to watch over the creation of the Mission Valley segment.

“They're not walking away from this. They want to make sure their gift to the community is truly a gift to the community,” Hutsel said.